Four weeks in Shetland – 'the most incredible experience'

For me, growing up in Lancashire, Shetland was this mythical far-off land that I was fascinated by, due to the chunky little ponies and the abundance of wildlife. I dreamed of going someday.

I’d had a lovely but short trip here in 2019, so when the opportunity arose to take a month-long sabbatical here, I grabbed it with both hands.

It has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. From seeing unusual birds I would normally expect to see in the Mediterranean (golden oriole, red-rumped swallow, woodchat shrike to name a few), to the Arctic terns flying over Tesco car park in Lerwick, to the otter fishing in the sea by the Sumburgh Airport runway, to orcas rushing by the coast of Fetlar, everywhere you turn here, there is wildlife.

My non-working time has brought those epic experiences but my work time has been even more magical.

I’ve had trips across to the beautiful RSPB Mousa nature reserve to monitor shag nests, fence off Arctic tern nests close to the path, install new signage and most exceptional of all, witness storm petrels at night.

I have mainly been based at the RSPB office on the breathtaking island of Fetlar. A large proportion of my first two weeks was spent doing whimbrel surveys on wonderful Yell. This year is a census year with co-ordinated counts across Scotland to monitor their numbers.

Having been raised in the uplands of northern England I am used to isolated, peaty areas, but here there is a whole new dimension.

Vast expanses where you don’t see another soul. Around 95% of the UK’s whimbrel breed here in Shetland, so it’s super important to keep an eye on their population.

Whilst carrying out these surveys, for the first time ever I also witnessed the behaviour of “the plover’s page”, or dunlin as they’re more commonly called, following golden plovers around the hillsides as if attached to them on strings.

It was absolutely fascinating to see, at first I thought it a fluke until it happened too often to be. Apparently a one-sided relationship that benefits the dunlin by decreasing their risk of predation and increasing the efficiency of their feeding.

I will forever associate the calls of both these great birds with my time here.

My second two weeks have coincided with the start of monitoring season for arguably the jewel in Shetland’s nature crown – red-necked phalaropes.

These tiny waders are about the size of a starling, spending their winters out at sea off the coast of South America, before making their journey here every year to raise their families.

The Mires of Houbie on Fetlar is where I witnessed my first one and I instantly fell for these charming little birds.

Since then I have carried out surveys for them on both RSPB nature reserves and other sites. It’s been an utter privilege to witness their courtship behaviour, find their nests, and see their minute chicks venturing out to feed among the sedges.

To say I got a bit emotional is an understatement – these little characters hold a special place in my heart now.

After a strange time through the pandemic, Shetland and the experiences I’ve had here have been a true tonic to my mental and physical well-being.

I can’t thank the RSPB Shetland team enough for the unbelievable opportunity provided and memories created. I will most definitely be back soon.

All the work completed by Annabel and the RSPB is carried out under a strict scheduled 1 licence.

The family who made a new life in Fetlar.